Mullen quarterback Cyler Miles fires a pass in the first half of Friday's game.

Mullen found out on Friday night that all good things come to an end.

The Mustangs fell 23-22 on Friday night to Pomona at the North Area Athletic Complex in yet another classic quarterfinal, often the rousing round over the past two decades that has featured the top array of thrillers, nail-biters, upsets and games to remember.

As Pomona coach Jay Madden said prior to kickoff, beating the Mustangs in the regular season is one thing, handling them in the Class 5A playoffs is another. And it hadn’t been done in four years — the previous team to beat Mullen in the playoffs was Douglas County, which won 21-14 in the 2007 semifinals

It was Mullen’s first loss in 18 postseason games and the first time it didn’t make at least the semifinals since 2002, a year before Dave Logan took over as coach.

“Pomona’s a good football team,” Logan said. “(The Panthers) made the plays and deserve to be congratulated.”

Multiple turnovers hurt both teams — Madden said he was disappointed by his team’s miscues and credited the Mustangs for coming up with big plays — but two interceptions thrown by the Mustangs’ Cyler Miles helped the Panthers wipe out a 17-7 deficit and take a 20-17 lead into halftime.

In its three losses in 2011, Mullen was on the minus end of turnover ratio.

“They killed us,” Logan said of the fumbles and interceptions.

While Pomona was able to fend off the Mustangs in the second half, particularly when they got close and threatened, Mullen left the field wondering what could have been, as in what if we did this, or what if we did that …

The Mustangs’ field goal attempt inside the final 2 minutes that was blocked also seemed familiar. After having their 34-game winning streak snapped in Week 2 against Grandview, the Mustangs lost 24-21 in the final week of the regular season to Columbine as the Rebels blocked a try on the last play of the game.

It was a year in which Mullen lost three times by a combined eight points. And a year after having one of the best big school teams in memory, particularly on defense, Mullen couldn’t win a fourth championship — never accomplished in big schools — with significantly less seniors and gobs of underclassmen.

“We were a lot more inexperienced this year, a lot younger,” Logan said. “But I’m proud of my kids. They played hard and I liked our effort.”

In all, the Mustangs’ 34-game winning streak from 2008-11 is the best in state history among big schools and their three consecutive titles tied Fort Collins (1921-23) and Cherry Creek (1994-96) for tops in either one class or the largest class.

Logan (201-43 career mark with six titles), also the object of growing rumors about switching schools for next season, indicated he would return to the Mustangs.

No doubt Mullen was still a top tier team this year. But you are pandering to their past success and reputation and I don’t like the tone of it. How about giving more credit to the THREE teams who beat them this year, Grandview, Columbine, and Pomona.

Geez! sometimes I forget I am still dealing with the news media even though it is about local high school sports and politics.

Three games left and they will be good ones.

Ponykiller

Actually, Neil, Pomona lost the turnover battle against Mullen on Friday night. Senior running back Dylan Carter fumbled at the goal line in the first half, and junior quarterback Alec Feland fumbled near midfield on an option keeper. Feland also threw late over the middle against a zone defense in the first half and was picked off. He also threw an interception up the Pomona sideline in the second half after rolling to his left, barely avoiding heavy Mullen pressure. Mullen quarterback Cyler Miles threw two first half picks and Mullen lost a fumble. A second fumble by Mullen near midfield with under five minutes to play in the game was initially awarded to Pomona, and the referee spotted the ball and signaled Pomona football as the Mullen offense vacated to the sideline. However, inexplicably, the officials, after a long conference, brought Mullen’s offense back on to the field, reversing the call. Miles completed a pass over the middle on fourth and seven on the ensuing play and the Mustangs were able to convert. Later in the drive, Pomona’s defense held, forcing the field goal attempt, which was blocked. So the turnover tally was four for Pomona, two interceptions and two fumbles, and three for Mullen, two interceptions and one fumble.

Mpacheco2782

Actually……….Pomona won and Mullen lost! That’s it!

Les

Actually Dylan Carter didn’t fumble at the goal line. Alec Feland was hit in the back while making the exchange. Hit dylan in the shoulder pads with the ball, while he had his hands placed to recieve the ball and watch his hole. It was Alec that did the fumbling. Dylan hasn’t fumbled the ball, all year. Just wanted to help you with the facts. I have I witness account from Dylan, a close up video of the whole play. And first hand conversation between Dylan and Alec. Sincerely his father. Have a good day

Tmarie27

Pomona won….Enough about Dave Logan and the Mustangs….give the press to the WINNERS!!!!!

Ebell1961

Three straight titles comes to an end. Mullen deserves the press. What a great run.

Tkveen

Again enough about Logan and Mullen Pomona WON and it was magnificent to watch.

Tonimzinanti

I agree that they DESERVED the press…but these three teams that beat them THIS year deserve the press now! The mustangs are a good team, but their reign is OVER. Now……on to State Championship title game minus the Mustangs YEAH!!!!!

prepfan

The lead article in the POST is for the loser….what? Even in high school coverage the POST is sucking up!

prepfan, I’m assuming you didn’t see the actual game story. This is a follow-up blog.

5A fan

Hats off to Dave Logan and the Mullen Mustangs. Lost amid the public/private debate is that schools that achieve at a high level in any endeavor, public or private, do so with an enormous investment in time and effort. Three straight titles is an amazing accomplishment and deserves respect.

As I watched the game I was struck by just how much the game meant to Pomona. I recall Mullen being in the red zone on five separate occasions and were able to come away with just one touchdown and two field goals. Their offense turned the ball over several times but still managed to make big plays against a big stout Mustang defense. It was a heavyweight slug-fest that came down to the very end. Somehow, with Mullen having 1st and goal from the 6, Pomona forced agame tying field goal attempt that they blocked. Incredible drama.

Yet sometimes a game becomes more than just “a game.” Pomona had nearly double the fan support. Jeffco went to the unusual step of painting the end zones and midfield with the Pomona logo (despite the fact that RV would have played there next week had they won). The public sentiment seemed to be with the public school from Arvada over the private parochial school. From a fan standpoint, it was difficult not to get swept up in rooting for the average-joe overachievers from Pomona.

Tonimzinanti

Average Joe Over-acheivers??? These hard working boys represent middle class America. One shouldnt take them lightly!

5A fan

“Hard working boys” that “represent middle class America.” Correct.

As I said, average-joe overachievers. This isn’t a slam or an indictment on their work ethic. Those boys from Pomona are terrific. They win despite the lack of a big name recruit heading to the University of Colorado or some other big name program. I think that fact alone shows why they are a true ‘team.’

But they better look out for another group of average-joe’s from Lakewood.

CUBuffx2

Dave Logan has recruited football players at Mullen, Chatfield and Arvada West. The idea that he ought to be hoisted up on shoulders for stealing kids from neighborhood schools is laughable. Imagine if Coach Madden or others like him could offer “scholarships” for attending thier schools.

Enough with Mullen. They lost despite Pomona committing four turnovers (compared to Mullen’s two). Why aren;t we reading an article about the young man that blocked the field goal?

The Post ought to be ashamed . . .

Les

I aggree, lets talk about Pomona, not Mullen. They are done. Who is Mullen anyway, All I know, is that they stood in our way. Pomona played 2 teams out there. Mullen and the Refs. The phantom turn over call. And the incomplete pass that hit the ground from miles to #4. Ball hit the ground. One ref called it incomplete, another ref cam in and said “Let’s give it to him” which was heard by multiple Pomona players on the sidelines.

Frankfurteagle

I can’t find much fault with Post Preps paying tribute to a great Mullen program who’s season just ended, especially one that won three previous State Championships. (This being championship season and all). Although PP does seem a little astonished, and more than a little defensive about the less than stellar performance of that team which they apparently failed to detect early in the season. They were still good, just not that good. If someone has a complaint about lack of press, I think it would be Lakewood-who are those guys?-and not Pomona. Everybody knows Pomona. I follow HS football pretty close, and I know next to nothing about Lakewood and can’t figure how I missed them. How about an article on them before this weeks match with Pomona. That’d be great!

Neil Devlin, originally from the Philadelphia area, has covered high school sports in Colorado for more than 30 years, writing about the people, athletes and events that encompass the Rocky Mountain prep sports world.